Sensei Derick Wellman promoted his second black belt this month when he promoted Blair Watts to Nidan on Wednesday, February 25, 2015. With Sensei Randy Pierce also presiding, Blair successfully demonstrated the skills and knowledge necessary for the rank of Nidan. Watts started judo at an older age, 36. The ex star high school wrestler started practicing at Kirkwood Judo Club. Watts started training at White Dragon Judo Club in 2006 and has not look back since. At 52, the dedicated fireman is an awesome adult judo instructor whose teaching style is nothing short of encouraging. Watts always enjoyed the family atmosphere that White Dragon Judo Club portrayed. Blair is a great mentor to many young and old students alike. He is a great example of what service to judo is all about.

February 4, 2015 was a very special night for White Dragon Judo Club. Sensei Derick Wellman had the pleasure of promoting some home grown talent to the rank of Shodan. Dan Dillon “Submission Dan” successfully passed his first degree black belt judo test. Dan Dillon judo journey is rare these days. Dillon trained under Sensei Derick Wellman from white belt to black belt. Dan started judo 2003, a year after White Dragon Judo Club began. Dillon’s perseverance, diligence, hard work and service to judo has paid off. There was not a day that went by that you did not see Dillon practicing. Even when he was hurt, Dan would find a way to get his judo workout in. A skilled handyman, Dan has made it his business to keep the dojo structurally sound. Currently, Dan Dillon is the reigning 2014 AAU Grand Masters Champion in his weight class. Dillon is a great junior judo coach and instructor who is willing to give his best for his dojo and his students.

Several members of White Dragon Judo Club were in attendance for the first judo open workout of 2015. Missouri Martial Arts in House Springs, Missouri hosted this event on February 7, 2015. The judo clinic featured rokudan (6th degree black belt) Gary Prindiville. The former police officer studied judo overseas and in the United States. He is a student of Grandmaster Bong Yul Shin. The highly accomplished judoka is a stickler for the FUNDAMENTALS. Sensei Prindiville taught two throws during this clinic, osotogari and tai otoshi. These were Prindiville’s best competition techniques. He broke down each technique step by step. He stated that the slightest deviation in technique could mean the difference between an ippon and a yuko or no score. Lastly, Sensei Prindiville stressed the importance of PRACTICE. Prindiville also demonstrated a couple of practice methods that are most common in a judoka’s daily training. Sensei Prindiville enjoys teaching judo at the Moo Do Kwan School of Martial Arts in Brentwood, Missouri.

White Dragon Judo Club had there annual Holiday Party on January 31, 2015. This was a time that members and their families could come together and celebrate the new year. There was lots of food, games, kids and cheerful, casual conversation. The event also had the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of Sensei Derick’s cousin, Bruce Wellman. The members of the judo club would like wish Bruce Wellman a Happy Birthday. There are numerous event like this that the club host. Feel free to check theand the club’s two Facebook pages for details.

Team White Dragon got the year started off with a BOOM! BANG! On January 10, 2015, the judo team was at the Hollis Park Recreation Center in Mapleton, Illinois for the 2015 Hollis Park Judo Invitational. Derick Wellman, Randy Pierce and Jay Baker assisted in the officiating of this event. Eugene Hamilton grabbed the coaches chair and brought in a squad ready to start the year off right. In the junior category, Issac Valdez De Soto returned to the mat after Christmas break and showed no signs of mat rust. The young lion highlighted his division with an awesome koshi guruma in his second match. He finished the day with a silver medal. Devin Busch also placed second in a highly talented division. The seniors divisions were led by White Dragon Judo’s superstar judokas Marissa Ardnt and Adnan Gutic. Ardnt dominated her division on her way to a 1st place finish. Adnan Gutic had his work cut out for him as he faced a division stacked with skilled judo players. Gutic showed the heart of a champion fighting his way to the final and taking the silver medal. Demonn Smith rounded out the team with two gold medals in the senior and masters categories. No doubt about it, Team White Dragon looks to have a solid 2015 year.

White Dragon Judo Club ended the year on a good note by having an open workout with international judo competitor Amber Jones on December 30,2014. Accompanied by Tyler King, Amber Jones demonstrated some practical shiai competition technique that would improve anyone’s judo. Amber Jones is one of the most decorated female judokas in the state of Missouri. Jones has competed in over 10 international competition, most notably earning a silver medal in the 2012 Grand Masters World Championships. The two time US National medalist started judo in December 2000 at the University of Kansas under sensei Josh Lester. An Army reservist, Amber is the head instructor for the Missouri Rolla Judo Club. The nidan is currently ranked 7th in seniors and is the number 1 masters judoka in her weight category. The open workout was a splendid mix of judo instruction, conditioning and randori. 2014 for Team White Dragon has been a prosperous one. The members of White Dragon Judo Club would like to wish you a Happy and safe 2015.

White Dragon Judo Club conducted a self defence demonstration with the Mighty Kids Ministry of Peoples Community Christian Church on December 15, 2014. The demonstration was a part of the activities at the Mighty Kids Ministry Christmas Party. Sempai Demonn Smith showed some practical judo techniques to the inquisitive youngsters. Sempai Smith encouraged the children’s participation and the kid’s did not hesitate to get involved. The demonstration also peaked the interest of a number of parents in attendance. After the demonstration, Sempai Smith answered various questions from the parents and the youth group. Sempai Smith stressed that the techniques shown are simple and with practice could save a person’s life one day. If you would like to know more about judo and self defense classes at White Dragon Judo Club, feel free to checkout our website and Facebook pages. We look forward to hearing from you and we will see you on the mat.

The Mountain Storm Martial Arts Invitational took place on December 6, 2014 at Saint Aloysius Catholic School in Yoder, Indiana. The USJA sanctioned tournament was officiated by Randy Pierce and Derick Wellman. Demonn Smith was the lone representative for Team White Dragon. Smith was coming off of a brief hiatus from competition. Smith competed in the senior division. He showed signs of mat rust but quickly adapted to take home a silver medal.

The 2014 Red, White, and Blue Judo Tournament took place on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at Saint Paul Parish School in Marion, Indiana. The tournament was officiated by Derick Wellman and Randy Pierce. Sensei Pierce is a national referee and Sensei Wellman is a regional judo referee. Throughout the year they travel the Midwest region assisting in the officiating of regional judo tournaments. You probably have seen them at judo tournaments such as the Gateway Invitational, America’s Cup and the North/South judo tournament. Shichidan Randy Pierce has been in judo for over 50 years. He has coordinated numerous referee, coaches and competition clinics. Sensei Derick Wellman is the owner of White Dragon Judo Club. He has been a regional referee for more than 10 years. Sensei Wellman runs the local referee program at White Dragon Judo Club. The need for more judo referees is significant these days. Many judo tournaments encounter this problem in the coming months of the event. Judokas who are no longer competing or don’t compete much should try their hand at officiating. Officiating judo will help the judoka understand the current rules of Olympic Judo. Understanding the rules will indirectly help with your techniques and give you a better understanding of the martial art. If you are interested in officiating judo tournaments don’t hesitate to contact Derick Wellman or Randy Pierce. There are numerous referee clinics conducted throughout the year across the country. So get involved and we will see you on the mat.

The three judo tournament weekend got underway at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas. The “D” Level tournaments of the 49th Annual Dallas Judo Invitational, President’s Cup and The National Military and Police Forces Judo Tournament took place on November 22-23, 2014. Andrew Lazarz took on the tough task of coaching Team White Dragon. The judo team had their work cut out for them as this was one the most competitive tournaments of the judo season. The competition was fierce and talented leaving little margin for error for Team White Dragon. In the Dallas Judo Invitational, Marissa Ardnt placed second in the female visually impaired category. Adnan Gutic followed up with his third consecutive Dallas gold in the visually impaired division. Anna Feygina had a tough day in this tournament and did not place. In the master’s division, Eugene Hamilton was very crafty and clever in a talented weight class. Hamilton was patient and executed good technique on his way to being awarded a silver medal. In the President’s Cup, Marissa Ardnt collected her second silver of the weekend with a superb performance. Adnan Gutic battled hard in a deep weight pool. Gutic just missed the medal podium taking 5th place. Amber Jones won the bronze with a poised and determined showing. In the Armed Forces Championships, Anna Feygina got her second consecutive gold in her brief yet successful military career. The Army first lieutenant highlighted the championships with a beautiful harai goshi in the championship match.